The Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Ohio recently constructed a home designed to represent the future of energy-efficient housing. The PNC SmartHome, which is on exhibit through October 7, 2011, was built on museum grounds in conjunction with an exhibition focusing on climate change. Moen donated Eco-Performance lavatory faucets and showerheads, as well as a water-efficient kitchen faucet, to the futuristic home.
Designed without a conventional furnace, PNC SmartHome’s heating and cooling costs will be 90 percent less than that of a typical house. It was designed using the Passive House methodology, which is distinguished by three elements: high levels of insulation, with walls up to 18 in. thick; a carefully sealed building envelope with minimal air leakage combined with efficient heat-recovery ventilation; and ultra-high-performance windows—typically triple-paned.
The smart home also features several of Moen’s Eco-Performance products, including the Lancaster pulldown faucet, Eva high-arc lavatory faucets and an Envi eight-in. rainshower showerhead.
“Moen has always been at the forefront of creating water-efficient plumbing products, so our partnership with the PNC SmartHome was a natural connection,” said Kathy Flinn, director of advertising and brand at Moen. “We’re thrilled to be able to give thousands of museum visitors the opportunity to learn more about our Eco-Performance products and how they can start to reduce their water and energy consumption in their very own homes.”
Following its display at the museum, the PNC SmartHome will be moved to a neighborhood site near Cleveland’s University Circle and will become available for purchase.
